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Description: | A complete cast lead alloy Papal bulla of Alexander IV (1254-1261 AD). The obverse depicts the heads of St. Paul and St. Peter facing each other with a sceptre in between them. Due to surface damage, the sceptre is unclear. The two heads are surrounded by a semi-circular border of pellets, which then connects to a larger pelleted border around the perimeter of the entire bulla. The legend above the busts reads SPASPE, abbreviations for the names 'Sanctus Paulus, Sanctus Petrus'. The reverse depicts the name of the Pope. The legend reads :ALE/XANDER/ .PP.IIII (written in three lines). This name refers to Alexander IV (1254-1261 AD). An omega is placed above the PP, which indicates that this abbreviation stands for 'Pastor Pastorum' or 'Shepherd of Shepherds'. The lead is now whitish-grey in colour. Ribbon holes can be detected at the top and bottom. The bulla measures 38.2 mm in diameter, 5.4 mm thick, and weighs 45.22 grams.Papal bullae are lead seals which were attached to documents known as bulls, issued by the Papacy. For a similar example on the PAS database cf. SWYOR-33A1C7.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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